Category: Bangkok Food Tours Blog

  • 5 Awesome Themed & Instagramable Cafes in Bangkok

  • 5 Awesome themed & Instagramable Cafes in Bangkok Bangkok offers a surprisingly great number of themed cafes. If you’re a sweet tooth or a coffee lover looking for an extra flavor to your brew, you should seek out these quirky themed and Instagramable cafes in Bangkok. While savoring your coffee or tea, and maybe a bakery, you can enjoy ‘the show’ in the same time. Plus, you will have one or two photos to impress your social media followers! Also check out these blogs for places to dine and to go out in Bangkok Best Restaurants in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Area 7 Alternative Rooftop Bars to Meet Cool Bangkokians     #1 Awesome Themed & Instagramable Cafe in Bangkok IceDEA Don’t underestimate what this tiny stark white ice cream shop has to offer. At this minimalist ice cream shop, you get the most perverse and photogenic ice cream in Bangkok. Ice cream at IceDEA may look like fruits, set meals, and even teeth and gum! They have both permanent and temporary items which they craft to celebrate holidays and special occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s. Fruit look ice cream TO EAT/DRINK @ THIS CAFE: A popular item on the menu is the Steak with Fries. The steak is brownie or hazelnut ice cream depending on how you’d like your steak cooked. If you get medium rare, the inside of your steak will be pink! It’s served with Parmesan Cheese Toast and fries (caramel coated banana slices). Another delicious item is Japanese set menu of fried pork cutlet which is actually fried ice cream (a flavor of your choice) with fruits and candied nuts. Grandma’s Lemonade (Italian soda, lime) If you want something smaller than the meal sets, a mangosteen is a good choice. Not craving for ice cream? Get a drink – Grandma’s Lemonade (syrup soda, a slice of lime, and a frozen set of granny’s dentures) is definitely Instagram worthy! WHEN & WHERE: 11am – 7pm; closed on Mondays | 4th floor, Bangkok Art & Cultural Center (opposite to MBK shopping mall) | National Stadium BTS Skytrain Station | FB: IceDEA    Pin this poster then read on!   #2 Awesome Themed & Instagramable Cafe in Bangkok Unicorn Cafe At Unicorn Cafe, the cute mythic creature and rainbows dominate everywhere from its wallpaper to items on the menu. Unicorn statues, dolls, and My Little Pony toys among sweet pastel-color furniture. There are even rental onesies for you to wear while you enjoy your unicorn experience. An array of Unicorn themed accessories and knick-knacks are available for sale. Kids love it here. But if you’re not a kid, this cafe will make you feel young again! Unicorn Rainbow Waffle (right) TO EAT/DRINK @ THIS CAFE: Unicorn Cafe serves both hot meals and snacks. Try Fried Chicken Wings coated with rainbow lava cheese or Unicorn Rainbow Spaghetti Carbonara Bacon. For sweets, get Unicorn Rainbow Waffle or Unicorn Rainbow Crepe Roll. WHEN & WHERE: Noon – 8pm; closed on Mondays | Soi (Street) Sathorn 8 | Chong Nonsi BTS Skytrain Station | Tel. 086 397 9262 | FB: Unicorn Cafe    #3 Awesome Themed & Instagramable Cafe in Bangkok Kid Mai Death Awareness Cafe You can lie in a coffin for a few minutes and contemplate on your life Don’t let the word ‘death’ in the cafe’s name make you feel depressed or want to commit a suicide. The cafe owner and brainchild Veeranut Rojanaprapa says his death theme conveys a Buddhist philosophy. People should lead a moral life, appreciate simplicity, and be at peace with death. As you walk around the cafe, you’ll see questions like “Are you happy with what you do?” and “What is your goal for which you work so hard?” on framed signs and on walls. The skeletons prop on couches are simple reminders that one day we’ll ALL end up looking like them. You may also write your last wish, plan your future funeral rites, or learn how to donate your body to medical schools. There is a coffin where you can lie in for a few minutes and contemplate on life, with a hope that once you rise from it you’ll dawn on a new life perspective. If you lie in the coffin, you’ll also get a discount on your drinks. A skeleton to remind you we will all end up like it one day TO EAT/DRINK @ THIS CAFE: You may get a cup of typical coffee Last Day (Espresso), One Week Left (Americano), One Month Left (Mocha). Or get their signatures which are non-cofee: Born (Italian soda), Elder (hot chocolate), Painful (jelly, whipped cream, strawberry sauce), and Death (chocolate shake). The price ranges between 50 and 85 THB, very affordable as profit is not the aim of the cafe. A customer experiencing how it feels like to be an old person (right) WHEN & WHERE: 9am – 7pm; daily | 1191 Phaholyothin Rd.| Ari BTS Skytrain Station | Tel. 092 261 0150 | FB : Kid Mai Death Awareness Cafe #4 Awesome Themed & Instagramable Cafe in Bangkok Little ZOO cafe   You are probably aware off dog or cat cafes in Bangkok. But Little Zoo Cafes take it to the next level. While drinking a coffee or having your meal, you get to play with exotic critters like meerkats, Fennec foxes, raccoons, cockatoo, guinea pigs, etc. Different kinds of puppies roam freely. So don’t be surprised if a furry thing brushes against your legs! There is even a Corgi Room. At particular time, staff bring out Fennec foxes to interact with you for a short time. However, this session highly depends on the animals’ moods. Don’t be upset if you only get to play with them shortly or don’t get to see them at all. The cafe has two floors. Most of the animals stay on the upper floor. You may place an a la carte order and stay on the lower floor. Drinks start at 120 THB. But the 350 THB package (Jan 2019) provides an…

  • Wang Lang Market – The Best Street Food Market in Bangkok

  • Bangkok is a street food heaven. When you travel in Bangkok, you need to eat street food, either get a take-away from a food cart or actually sit and eat on a street side! In this blog, we’ll introduce you to Wang Lang Market. It is the best Bangkok’s street food market that opens during the day. Imagining a bustling market packed with street vendors selling exotic and colorful Thai dishes and snacks? Read on! Also check out other blogs related to Bangkok street food markets here 10 Thai Street Snacks You Must Try 5 Bangkok’s Fresh Markets Travelers Shouldn’t Miss 7 Off-Tourist-Radar Areas to Eat Street Food in Bangkok Top 5 Night Food Markets and Spots in Bangkok  Remember that Bangkok is a big city and possibilities for foodies to dive into local dining experiences. One of the best ways is to take a tour with professional food tour agencies like Bangkok Food Tours. Our Thonburi Food & Canals Adventure Tour takes you to 2 street food markets, one of which is Wang Lang. You’ll be fed with tons of delicious Thai food and a fun boat ride via canals. Briefly about Wang Lang Market Wang Lang Market is located on the west bank of Chao Phraya river. The area is a part of Bangkok’s Old quarter and preserves a super local vibe. The maze-like market is filled with alleys crossing one another, and cramped with vendors and shops selling clothes, accessories, and fashion items. Good place to pick up cheap and fashionable ladies’ clothing. Yet, the main draw of the market is its street food. You’ll find stalls offering hot meals and snacks to be taken away in plastic bags. These are namely meat on skewers, fresh fruits, bakery, fried meat balls, spicy papaya salad, and smoothies. There are plenty of restaurants and street stalls that serve specialty like a variety of noodles, pork rice, Northeastern Thai food, and rice with curries. Wang Lang Market serves early risers. Most stalls close after 2 or 3pm though some restaurants remain open until early evening. Expect the market to be crowded and busy during lunch hours. Navigating Wang Lang Market Wang Lang Market doesn’t have an official entrance. It’s on your left after you leave the pier, opposite to Siriraj Hospital, and stretches about 300 meters on Pran Nok Road. Once you see street cart vendors crowding the footpath, that’s the market. However, deeper through alleyways is where the fun begins. When you first enter the market, it could be overwhelming. But if you’re a foodie, the sight of plenty of food will make you happy. What to Eat at Wang Lang Market 1. Khun Daeng’s Kway Jab Yuan (คุณแดงก๋วยจั๊บญวน) Kway Jab Yuan or Vietnamese Rice Noodle with Pork Spare Ribs. The noodle is round soft and sticky. The soup got thicken during the cooking process. Slow simmering makes the pork meat tender it easily falls off the bone. The broth is sprinkled with fried shallots, onion and parsley. Delicious! Khun Daeng sorts their ingredients from best sources. Some come from Thailand’s upcountry. Their black pepper comes from Pune, India. Opens 10am – 7.30pm, daily 2. Sai Mai’s Egg Noodle Soup with Shrimp Wonton (สายไหมบะหมี่เกี๊ยวกุ้ง) This restaurant is best known for their homemade biteful shrimp wonton and egg yellow noodle. The soup comes with bog choy (Chinese kale), sprinkled onion and parsley. You can also add pork meat and crab meat to it. Once here, get a dessert to finish off your meal. Sarim Tab Tim Krob is colorful flour in iced coconut milk loose syrup. Sarim is flour threads in pink and green. Tab Tim Krob is made of tapioca flour and colored to look like pomegranate seeds. Opens 9.30am – 7pm, daily (till 5pm on Sundays) 3. Yupin’s Som Tam (ส้มตำเจ๊ยุพิน) Som Tam is spicy green papaya salad with tomato, cow pea, peanut, garlic, dried shrimp seasoned with fish sauce, palm sugar, lime, and lots of chili. You can have Som Tam Thai with all the ingredients mentioned, or order Som Tam Pu (with black crabs) or Som Tam Plara (with fermented fish). Yupin serves other Northeastern Thai dishes too. Her grilled chicken (Yai Gang) is the best. You can get chicken, pork, beef, duck salads. Note that every dish comes with lots of locals herbs, spices, and chili. Opens 8am – 7pm, daily 4. Frozen Egg Coconut Ice Cream (ไอติมไข่แข็ง) We are familiar with egg being a well mixed ingredient in ice cream. But this recipe takes raw egg yolk and lets it freeze on the ice cream itself, creating the layer of frozen egg with mild salty flavor coated on the ice cream before scooping to serve. The egg matches well with the flavor of creamy and sweet coconut ice cream. You can choose toppings like jelly, sweeten fruits, taro, plum, red beans, and so on. 5. Pa Tim’s Khanom Tang Taek (ขนมถังแตกป้าติ๋ม) Tang Taek is sweet crepe with lots of sugar and sweet fillings. The fillings are such as soft meringue cream, corns, sweet egg yolk threads, sesame seeds, shredded coconut depending on your choice. Tang Taek means to be broke. The dessert has earned this name because it’s cheap. It was cheap back in the day and is still cheap! (50 cents/piece) Pa Tim’s Tang Taek are known for their variety of fillings and the generous amount of fillings. Opens 7am – 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday How to Get to Wang Lang Market The easiest and the most fun way to get to the market is by Chao Phraya Express river boats. From Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain station, take an Orange Flag boat to Pier No.10 (Pran Nok). The fee is 15 THB. It takes around half an hour. From the market you cab walk 2 km to the famous Wat Arun temple.  …

  • Best Street Food Tours in Bangkok by Bangkok Food Tours

  • Bangkok is a world’s street food capital. Traveling in the city, you don’t want to miss having a street food experience. Let us at Bangkok Food Tours take you to the heart of the action! Why is it a good idea to come with us? There are a few reasons: All Bangkok Food Tours guides are locals. If they don’t live in the neighborhood we take you to, then they frequent it because they are after the delicious food themselves. That means your experience is delivered by an insider and Thai food guru. We take you to the eateries that you’re not likely to find by yourself, local people’s favorite ones, and introduce you to dishes that you might not try on your own. Through us, you’ll meet foodies from all over the world, alike-mind travelers. Ready to savor Thai street food, sightsee, and socialize with interesting people? Read on! Also check out other blogs related to other fun things to do in Bangkok for travelers here. 10 Things to Do in Bangkok Best Restaurants in Sukhumvit, Bangkok (for Budget & Finer Diners) 5 Tropical Beach Paradises & Islands Near Bangkok      #1 Street Food Tour in Bangkok by Bangkok Food Tours  Historic Bangrak Food Tasting and Culture Tour Street food on Charoen Krung Road Bangrak’s street food scene preserves a similar atmosphere to Chinatown’s street food. But instead of night, the street food scene of Bangrak flourishes during the day. A step off BTS Saphan Taksin Skytrain, food carts occupy the sidewalks of Charoen Krung Rd. They line up in front of shophouses operating as shops and restaurants, and even making their ways onto side lanes. You’ll be swimming in the sea of street food, enjoying the sight and smells of cooked-to-order and pre-cooked dishes, snacks, and fruits, as the tour guide walks you through the neighborhood and beyond. Our guests happy to meet the Duck Rice restaurant owner Thanks to the neighborhood’s multi-ethnic residents, Bangrak is teemed with delicious ethnic restaurants. In this tour, you’ll get to taste Chinese, Muslim, Northeastern Thai, and royal Thai dishes. These are namely duck rice, curry noodle, Som Tam (papaya salad), crunchy lemongrass, chicken green curry, roti, and coconut ice cream. With small portions, you won’t be too full but are certainly fed enough for big breakfast and lunch. Duck rice To ensure you have time to digest between the several food stops, the tour takes you to sightsee iconic sites of the neighborhood such a temple, a Catholic church, and beautiful heritage buildings. You’ll even get to cross the Chao Phraya river on a ferry! Many travelers have recommended this tour on TripAdvisor. See what CK Travel, a seasoned food and travel blogger, talks about this tour here.    Book This Tour     Pin this poster and read on!   #2 Street Food Tour in Bangkok by Bangkok Food Tours   Yaowarat Street Food Tour Chinatown is the legend of night street food markets in Bangkok. DO NOT SKIP IT. If you don’t visit it for the food, you should for its vibrant and bustling atmosphere anyway – photogenic. On the main road and its side lanes, food vendors busy preparing their specialty dishes as customers queue up to take seats. There are hundreds of eateries just on the main road alone. And all of them undoubtedly serve delicious food. But we’ll take you to the ones our food experts have degreed to be the best. Grilled prawn at the seafood restaurant Lining up are Yen Ta Foe pink noodle soup with fish balls, Dim Sum, seafood, pork organs soup (don’t make a face, it’s delicious!), ice cream, and black sesame dumplings in ginger tea. There will be other snack treats too. You’ll be dining on a street most of the time, in a quiet alley and on the main road. In the beginning of the tour, sightseeing the nearby iconic attractions will tune you in to the neighborhood’s history. See what other travelers have recommended it on TripAdvisor.    Book This Tour     #3 Street Food Tour in Bangkok by Bangkok Food Tours  Street Food Hunt at Chatuchak Weekend Market Chatuchak Weekend Market has over 15,000 stalls spreading across 35 acres and 26 sections which range from food, art and craft, antiques, fashion and so on. Many travelers navigate it themselves. But why not having a local help you navigate it if you can? Northeastern Thai sausage vendor Shopping is the main reason people come here but street food stalls are also an essential part of the market. These are where hungry shoppers turn to. We don’t take you to any of them but the best ones. Along the way, you will walk through what we call the highlighted alleys where you will surely find beautiful souvenirs to take home. While enjoying being fed with delicious food, you can make a list of what you want to buy in your mind! Pulled tea or The Tarik The tour includes food and drinks at 7 stops. You’ll eating spicy papaya salad, grilled honeyed pork, Thai sausages, chicken noodle, and pulled tea to name a few. There are other snacks and ice cream along the way. Our tour guide will give you a good overview of the market. By the end of the tour, which is early afternoon, you’ll have more confidence to dive into the market by yourself.   Book This Tour     Pin this info graphic to share it with your friends!…

  • Most Recommended Bangkok Night Tours

  • Day tours in Bangkok alone can keep you busy for days. But there are several good reasons why you should take Bangkok night tours. Bangkok offers a different reality after dark, not usually experienced by tourist crowd. The cooler weather and less traffic on the streets are a big plus. Exploring the culture, street food, and attractions of Bangkok at night is an emerging popular trend for travelers. See our recommended Bangkok night tours by Bangkok Food Tours and get ahead of the crowd! Also check out other blogs related to other fun things to do in Bangkok for travelers here. 10 Things to Do in Bangkok Best Street Food Tours in Bangkok by Bangkok Food Tours   1. Bangkok Night Tour NO.1 – Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk Customers on Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk The most popular night Tuk Tuk food tour in Bangkok, Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk combines dining at the city’s best evening restaurants with sightseeing by Tuk Tuk. Food lovers will enjoy authentic Thai dishes as much as zipping through Bangkok on a Tuk Tuk. This is your chance to eat spicy but yummy Northeastern Thai food, crispy chicken fried noodle, and the city’s best Pad Thai that even locals crave for. Most delicious Pad Thai in Bangkok!The sightseeing part includes a famous temple crowded by tourists during day time but empty by then, and the colorful flower market at its full bloom. A flight up to a secret rooftop bar close to the end of the tour, you’ll appreciate the best view of Wat Arun glowing against the dark sky while sipping your beer or cocktail. The sightseeing gives your stomach plenty of time to digest and rest before the next food stop. Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk is the most recommended night Tuk Tuk food tour in Bangkok on TripAdvisor. See what bloggers talk about their experience with this tour:     2. Bangkok Night Tour NO.2 – Motorbike Food Adventure & Amazing Night Market Motorbike Food Adventure & Amazing Night Market puts the best bits of Bangkok together, a motorbike ride and street food! Riding a motorbike in Bangkok can be intimidating. But with this tour, you don’t need to be brave. You will feel very safe at the back of a motorbike engined by a professional driver. And now that you can relax, you may enjoy Bangkok street lives at night whizz through like fast forward movie scenes. The driver and a guide will take you to neighborhoods untouched by tourists. That’s really a bonus. Customers on Motorbike Food Adventure & Amazing Night Market enjoying Northeastern Thai hot pot The tour starts at the heart of Bangkok and ends at the famous vintage Train Market in Ratchada neighborhood. Along the way, you savor Thai style fried chicken, Northeastern Thai hot pot, Khao Soi (Northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup), and grilled fish or grilled seafood. At one point, the tour stops at a Ganesh God shrine where you make a wish and pray to the god or quietly observe local devotees going about. The most famous night market in Bangkok, Ratchada Train Market At the final stop, the train market, you’ll enjoy the festivity of the best night market in Bangkok. Rolls of street food stalls, clothes, knickknacks, and vintage bars made out of containers. The tour finishes off at a rooftop bar overlooking the sea of colorful awnings of the market – a fantastic view.   3. Bangkok Night Tour NO.3 – Bangkok Exotic Bar Crawl by Tuk Tuk The best of Bangkok’s nightlife in a few hours, Bangkok Exotic Bar Crawl by Tuk Tuk takes you into the heart of the actions! The 4 bars to visit all have different characters. Think of it as a themed park for adults. Moreover, you’ll hop them by Tuk Tuk. You’ll start at an emerging hipster district in a bar where traditional Thai elements have been taken into a new interpretation. Here is your chance to try Thai Moonshine, the herbal alcohol drinks that believe to cure. The second stop brings you to a high life, sipping cocktail on Bangkok’s highest rooftop bar. The 360 degree view of Bangkok at city from the angle cannot be duplicated! The third stop brings you back in time, to Shanghai’s Forbidden Era in 1930s. This underground jazz bar is furnished by beautiful girls in a bob cut and Qipao. Finally, you’ll explore the red light district of Patpong. In an ordinary go-go bar, a surprise awaits you. You’ll arrive in time to see a bar transformed into a boxing ring. Sounds unbelievable? You’ll see it for yourself. Note that drink bills are on you.   4. Bangkok Night Tour NO.4 – Chinatown Street Food Tour Chinatown Street Food Tour explores the best and biggest evening street food market in Bangkok. In Chinatown, you’ll be taunted with numerous street food stalls and may not know where to start. This tour guides you through the market, giving you insights of the neighborhood, and taking you to the best restaurants known among locals. Though most of the stalls and restaurants are located on the bustling main road where the crowd jumbles, you get to dine on smaller streets and side alleys as well. You’ll be fed with tons of food like Yen Ta Foe pink noodle soup, Dim Sum, pork peppery soup, seafood, and ice cream. So, come hungry! The tour also includes short visits to revered and iconic sites of the neighborhood….

  • Do-It-Yourself Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Trip | Bangkok Food Tours

  • Self-Guided Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Trip The 12-kilometer banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River is home to a handful of noteworthy attractions and places of interest for travelers. Taking a Chao Phraya river ferry and visiting these attractions is one of the most popular things to do in Bangkok. In this blog, we suggest a full-day do-it-yourself Chao Phraya river sightseeing itinerary which covers both famous tourist attractions and hidden cultural neighborhoods in Bangkok’s Old City. If you’re ready, read on!   Which River Ferries to Take on a Self-Guided Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Trip?   Orange Flag, Chao Phraya Express Boat Inside an Orange Flag boat, Chao Phraya Express Boat You want to start at Sathorn Pier (Saphan Taksin BTS Station, Exit 2), the major pier on the Chao Phraya River. The bustling pier is heavily trafficked by passenger boats. It serves hotel ferries, the Asiatique ferry, and Chao Phraya Express Boats, all of which have their own piers. You want to use Chao Phraya Express Boat service. The company offers 5 types of boats: Orange Flag, Yellow Flag, Green Flag, Blue Flag (Tourist Boat), and No Flag (Local Line). Each type has its own routes and makes different stops. Look for the tiny triangle flags at the roofs of the boats. The sign of Chao Phraya Express Boat pier is marked clearly. Just follow the sign On the pier, you will see the kiosk selling One-Day River Pass (฿180), which is the ticket for the Tourist Boat stopping at major tourist attractions. Tour guides are available onboard. The One-Day River Pass is good if you want to stay on a tourist path. But we suggest you get off the beaten tourist path by following our itinerary and not taking the Blue Flag boats. Chao Phraya Express Boat route map Fares of Orange Flag and Yellow Flag boats are ฿15 and ฿20, respectively, per trip. Fares of the No Flag and Green Flag boats depend on distance travelled (between ฿9 and ฿35). The fares are paid at the booth before boarding or to the staff once you’re onboard. Of all the 4 types, the Orange Flag boats are your best bet. They stop at all the most popular piers, and run every 10 to 20 minutes from 6am to 7pm.     One Day Self-Guided Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Itinerary *Always take an Orange-Flag Boat 9am Arrive at Sathorn Pier. Take an Orange-Flag boat going north. (If you face the river, the boat will be traveling to the right) Your first stop is Wat Arun. Get off at Wat Arun Pier. The ride takes 15 minutes. 10 am Take the river-crossing ferry (฿4) to Tha Tien Pier (Pier No.8). Cross the Maha Rat Street to Wat Pho. 10.45am From where you enter Wat Pho, head south along the Maha Rat Street for 5 minutes, you’ll see the back entrance of Museum Siam. Noon Follow the Maharat Street south and turn right before the bridge crossing Rop Krung Canal. At the street’s end, you’ll find Rajinee Pier (Pier No.7). Take the boat going north (heading to your right). 12.15pm Get off at Wang Lang/Pran Nok Pier (Pier No.10) Explore the bustling Wang Lang Market. Have lunch here and enjoy street food. 1.30pm Head back to the pier. Take the boat going south (heading to your right) to Memorial Bridge Pier (Pier No.6). The ride takes 10 minutes. 2.10pm Walk across the Memorial Bridge. Once you get off the bridge, you’ll see the riverside walkway/bicycle lane that brings you to Santa Cruz Church. 2.30pm Facing the front of the church, you’ll see a small alley on your right with a small sign ‘Baan Kudichin Museum.’ Half way along the alley, there is a shop selling Thai cupcake on the left. Grab a bag or two (3 bags for ฿100). A few meters after, the museum is on your right. 3pm See the museum’s permanent exhibition. Get a coffee and relax at the coffee shop on the first floor. Enjoy your drink with the cup cake. 4pm Head back to the church and to the riverside walkway. Turn left along the walkway for 200 meters until you see a Taoist temple. 4.30pm Head back to Memorial Bridge Pier and explore Pak Klong Talad Flower Market next to it. 6pm Walk to Yodpiman Pier (Pier No.6/1) which is inside Yodpiman River Walk Mall. Take a boat going south (traveling to your left). Get off at the next stop, Rachawongse Pier (Pier No.5) 6.15pm From the pier follow Ratchawong Road until you hit Yaowarat Road, the main road of Chinatown. Get dinner and enjoy the lively scene of Bangkok’s most famous street food neighborhood. Briefly about Each Attractions on the Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Itinerary   1. Wat Arun Temple   The temple is the most visually striking landmark towering over the Chao Phraya River. The central prang or stupa, standing 80 meters tall, is intricately decorated with colorful pieces of porcelain. The porcelain was used as ballasts in boats traveling to Bangkok from China. You can climb up to the middle level of the central prang and be rewarded with a beautiful view of the river. You can even see the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, your next stop, from here. Another photo spot is the big giant sculptures that guard the main entrance to the ubosot. These giants are characters from Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic that has a heavy influences on Thai art. If you want to visit this temple, Wat Pho, and other iconic attractions in Bangkok’s Old City on a Tuk Tuk, have a look at The Bangkok Highlights Tour.    2. Wat Pho Temple   Wat Pho is one of the largest temple complexes in Bangkok. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace. The must see here is the reclining Buddha that measures 46 meters long. The statue is covered in gold leaf. Behind the ubosot, stand 4 looming pagodas dedicated to the first 4 kings of Bangkok. The pagodas are decorated with colorful tiles….

  • Best 3 Tuk Tuk Night Tours in Bangkok (with a Comparison Table)

  • Riding a Tuk Tuk is a must do for any travelers visiting Bangkok. There are many ways to get around Bangkok, but you can experience Bangkok’s street life really close on a Tuk Tuk. As a Tuk Tuk whizzes through Bangkok, you will enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of Bangkok passing through like fast-forward movie scenes! The best time to ride a Tuk Tuk in Bangkok is at night when the city is free of traffic and the air is cooler. There are a few Tuk Tuk Night Tours in Bangkok that will take you to unusual local attractions, give you to insights of Thai culture, and keep you entertained with exciting activities throughout the tours. It’s time to get off the beaten tourist path! Also check out other blogs related to other fun things to do in Bangkok for travelers here. 10 Things to Do in Bangkok 4 Things to Love in Bangkok by Night     #1 Best Tuk Tuk Night Tour in Bangkok  Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk (by Bangkok Food Tours)   If you’re guessing that this tour program focuses on food, you’re absolutely right! In Bangkok, food is available round the clock. Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk takes you to Thai people’s favorite restaurants that open in early evening until after midnight. One great thing about it is you get to taste different kinds of Thai food. On the list are Northeastern Thai (Issan) dishes, chicken fried noodle, and the best Pad Thai in the city. These are specialty restaurants located in Bangkok’s Old City, a historic neighborhood known for authentic cuisines.   At the first restaurant, you’ll get to try a variety of Issan dishes which you eat with stick rice. They could be a bit spicy but the tour guide makes sure the level of chilies is mild enough that Westerners can take and enjoy. The chicken fried noodle is usually the second favorite stop of this tour. Cooked on charcoal stove, the noodle is crispy on the outer and soft inside. It is lubricated by a half-cooked egg that you mix with it before eating. The Pad Thai restaurant serves stir fried noodle in super delicious juicy sauce with meaty jumbo prawns. The nightly long queues testify how famous the restaurant is. But don’t be intimidated when you see the queue. The tour company has a table booked for you. The tour introduces you to the food and the restaurants that you would not find yourself. Though you’ll be eating a lot, there are reasonable breaks in-between. The tour takes you to the famous flower market bursting with colors, and a famous temple busy in the day time but crowd-free at night. At this point, you feel like having the temple all to your group! You’ll also be stopping at a rooftop bar to enjoy a cool beer and appreciate a breath-taking view of the lit Wat Arun over Chao Phraya river. This will make a night in Bangkok that you will remember for a long time. Just think of this tour as an extended dinner. Be sure to join the tour with stomach empty because you’ll roll into bed way full. Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk has the best review as a food and Tuk Tuk night tour in Bangkok on TripAdvisor.         Book this tour     #2 Best Tuk Tuk night tour in Bangkok  The Romantic Tuk Tuk Tour (by Smiling Tuk Tuk) This is a perfect tour for couples, fresh or long-time, to cherish their love during holiday in Bangkok. Everything in this tour is about romance and sensuality. The Romantic Tuk Tuk Tour starts at a romantic shopping mall with a beautiful architecture in Bangkok’s Old City. Here, you’ll taste different kinds of traditional Thai sweets prepared for wedding ceremonies. The ride through Bangkok’s Old City continues. This historic neighborhood is teemed with beautiful sites that you can appreciate from the back of your Tuk Tuk. You’ll stop at the Marble Temple, one of the most beautiful temple in the neighborhood as well. Then, you’ll be brought to dine at a restaurant overlooking Rama 8 Bridge – a breath-taking view accompanied by a delicious meal. The next stop is at Bangkok’s flower market where your partner might surprise you with a rose! The tour ends at one of the two Bangkok’s most renown rooftop bars. Here you can get cocktails, enjoy the bar’s luxurious atmosphere, and gaze into the 360 degree view of Bangkok at night. Note that the cost of food, drinks, and the flower bought at the market is on you.   Book this tour     #3 Best Tuk Tuk night tour in Bangkok  Bangkok Magnificent Lights by Tuk Tuk (by Smiling Tuk Tuk) Bangkok Magnificent Lights by Tuk Tuk offers you visits to Bangkok’s iconic attractions after sunset, when they are beautifully lit and crowd-free. The tour starts at twilight, exploring a Thai market on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river, away from other tourists. Then, the first attraction is Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawiharn Temple whose beautiful stupa won a UNESCO award. You’ll be here just in time to catch the last light of the day with the looming stupa as as foreground. Next is Wat Arun Temple glowing with light against the dark sky. You’ll take a ferry across the river, leaving Wat Arun behind to go to Wat Pho Temple. At Wat Pho, you will marvel at the 4 pagodas, which are way prettier compared to the day time. Then we’ll cruise around Bangkok’s Old City on the Tuk Tuk for about half an hour before arriving at Chinatown. In this neighborhood, one of the most famous night street food markets in Bangkok, you’ll be swimming through street food vendors, and dine at the tour’s secret fried noodle restaurant. Bangkok Magnificent Lights by Tuk Tuk is a Tuk Tuk night tour in Bangkok popular among photographers. But even if…

  • Nang Loeng Market – Best Traditional Food Market in Bangkok

  •   Watch Video of Nang Loeng Market – Best Traditional Food Market in Bangkok When you travel in Bangkok, food should be a part of your Bangkok experience. To get an authentic Thai food experience in Bangkok, you should visit a traditional food market. But finding an authentic traditional food market in Bangkok might not be easy for foreign travelers unless you have a local help. In this blog, we take you to Nang Loeng Market, the oldest land market in Bangkok. Located in a historic community and offering a variety of rare traditional Thai food and desserts, Nang Loeng Market feels like a live museum that is definitely worth your visit. Also check out other blogs related to food markets in Bangkok here. 10 Thai Street Snacks You Must Try 5 Bangkok’s Fresh Markets Travelers Shouldn’t Miss 7 Off-Tourist-Radar Areas to Eat Street Food in Bangkok Top 5 Night Food Markets and Spots in Bangkok Remember that Bangkok is a big city and there are tons of possibilities for foodies to dive into local dining experiences. One of the best ways is to take a tour with professional food tour agencies like Bangkok Food Tours and Smiling Tuk Tuk. Check these 2 tours out: Motorbike Food Adventure & Amazing Night Market and Thonburi Food & Canals Adventure, for dining at local food markets in Bangkok.   Brief History of Nang Loeng Market   Nang Loeng Market was officially opened in 1900, and is located in a small community as old as itself. (For your reference, Bangkok was founded in 1782.) The majority of residents in Nang Loeng are Thai Chinese. And where Chinese people are, delicious food is never far away! Apart from the Chinese, there are Cambodian, Lao, Vietnamese, and other ethnic residents. The mixed culture makes food and cooking techniques here really special, and makes Nang Loeng Market one of the best food market in Bangkok. Some vendors in the market have made the same dishes for generations. Some serve recipes passed down over 200 years.   Navigating the Nang Loeng Market   Delicious Thai ready-to-eat food, snacks, and desserts are centered at the food court in the middle of the market. Around the food court is a plenitude of food stalls. There is also a small section selling fresh produce like fresh vegetable and meat. To the south of the food court, there is a Chinese shrine dedicated to the father of the modern Thai navy, Chomphon Khet Udomsak. The market is surrounded by heritage shophouses on all sides. Some shophouses operate as restaurants. Others have food stalls in the front.   A short walk from the market, Sala Chalerm Thani Cinema, built in 1918, remains an iconic wooden structure of the community. In its heyday, the cinema saw well-off people enjoying what was then a cutting-edge entertainment.   What to Eat at Nang Loeng Market   1. Aew’s Yen Ta Foe (อิ๋ว เย็นตาโฟ) A pink noodle soup may not look appetizing at first. But your first sip of the broth will change your feeling about it. The pink color is made from fresh tomato paste. Aew does her sauce so well you don’t need to add any condiments to your noodle. First, choose a type of noodle you want: egg noodle, flat rice noodle, or thin noodle. Then, soup or dry. Your noodle comes with different kinds of fish meat balls, tofu, morning glories, congealed blood. Don’t make a face. It’s really good! Opens 9am – 2.30pm   2. Rattana’s Khao Gaeng (ข้าวแกงรัตนา) Khao Gaeng means rice with assortments. The assortments are already made. You just have to choose from one up to three assortments to eat with steamed rice. Rattana’s rice with assortments is affordable (30-50 THB). They have more than 20 choices of assortments including fish curry, chicken green curry, spicy salad, and stir fried vegetables. Opens 9.30am – 1pm   3. Nang Loeng Braised Beef (เนื้อตุ๋นนางเลิ้ง) This shophouse restaurant serves five-hour braised beef in a savory broth packed with aroma. You can have your braised beef in a noodle soup, or have it come in a broth served with a separate bowl of steamed rice. Try not to come at lunch hours. It’s hard to find a seat. Opens 9.30am – 2pm, off on Sundays   4. Ya Chaem‘s Kanom Bueang Yuan (ขนมเบื้องญวนย่าแช่ม) Kanom Bueang (crepe) Yuan (Vietnamese) is a Vietnamese savory crepe that inspired a Thai version. This is a traditional Thai snack that you can treat as a light meal. A pan size thin deep fried crepe is stuffed with shredded coconut, roasted peanuts, shrimp, salted radish and fried tofu. It’s served with fresh bean sprouts and sweet cucumber sauce. Ya Chaem uses uses a charcoal stove to cook her crepe – a slow cooking technique that adds aroma to the food. Opens 9am – 3pm   5. Loong Noi’s Kanom Bueang Boran (ขนมเบื้องไทยโบราณลุงน้อย) Kanom Bueang is a taco-shape crepe with sweet or savory filling. The Kanom Bueang sold by street vendors are usually filled with coconut cream. But traditional Kanom Bueang or Kanom Bueang Boran recipe omits the cream. Still, you choose between the sweet or savory filling. The sweet filling mixes sesames, raisins, Chinese plums, and extruded duck egg yolks cooked in syrup. The savory filling features orange-color ground dried shrimp. Opens 8am – 2pm   6. Nanta’s Kanom Thai (นันทาขนมไทย) Nanta’s sells traditional Thai sweets. The recipes are from her ancestor who worked in a royal palace’s kitchen. Her traditional Thai desserts include steamed kanom gluay (banana cake), kanom tarn (palm cake) and kanom pueak (taro cake). Opens 7am – 2pm How to Get to Nang Loeng Market   The market is not on a city train routes. You can get there neither by the BTS Skytrain nor MRT Subway, but the closest BTS Skytrain station is the National Stadium station. Then you take a Tuk Tuk or a taxi for another 3 km. One thing to note about visiting a food market in Bangkok, you want to go early. These markets don’t stay open past early afternoon….

  • 7 Bangkok Fresh Markets to Visit for Local Experience

  • 7 Bangkok Fresh Markets to visit in Bangkok Bangkok fresh markets offer unique experience for foreign travelers. If you want to experience authentic Thai, not the ‘set-up-for-tourists’ ways of life, visiting a fresh market in Bangkok is a must. Life in Thai communities revolves around the fresh market. Amidst fresh produce stalls and bustling carts loaded with commodities, you’ll find the neighborhood’s best restaurants and street food vendors. Retirees gather at traditional coffee shops to get their morning brews and discuss the events of the day. Bangkok fresh markets come in all shapes and sizes. We have listed 5 here. Make sure you visit at least 1! Visiting these markets on your own can be tricky. To make the most out of the experience, you should have a guide to explain what’s going on. Our Thonburi Food & Canals Adventure and Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk visit two of the most popular fresh markets in Bangkok. 1. Pak Klong Talad Flower Market The biggest retail and wholesale fresh flower market in Bangkok, Pak Klong Talad used to be a fish market in the 19th century. Arriving by car, you’ll see bustling shops and vendors lining up Chakphet Road. But the majority of the vendors are actually under the roofed sections that stretch further away from the road on both sides. The flowers come from upcountry Thailand and around the world. You’ll find lots of flower garlands here, many are made with Jasmine buds and roses. Left: betel nut package, used as an offering to Hindu gods / Right: flower garlands made with Jasmine buds and roses, used as an offering to Buddha and deity The market is open 24-7. Things get sleepy during the day but action kicks-in after midnight until 4am, when trucks from the countryside rumble in loaded with fresh-cut flowers. Now you know where the flowers come from, but where do they go? Flowers are used by Thais as offerings to Buddha, Hindu gods, and other spirits. The offerings take place in temples, at shrines in individual homes, and even in cars. (At red lights, you may see people selling simple flower garlands to motorists who hang them on rear view mirrors to bless their cars and journeys) Pak Khlong Talad has more than just flowers, it has a substantial fruit and vegetable selection. Next to the market, Yodpiman River Walk is an open-air heritage-themed mall filled with chain restaurants and high-end shops. This is a good place to dine and unwind before or after the market visit. HOW TO VISIT THIS BANGKOK FRESH MARKET The market is located just a little more than one kilometer south from the Grand Palace. Simply walk down the Maha Rat Road. Take the Chao Phraya Express boat to Yodpiman Pier. Walk through the mall and you’ll find the market. Join our Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk and be guided through the market by a friendly professional guide   2. Klong Toey Wet Market The ‘very’ fresh Klong Toey Market always tops tourist and travel photographer’s Bangkok fresh market experience. The chaotic sprawling fresh market is packed with raw meat, livestock, seafood, fruits and vegetables, clothes, and kitchenware. Floors, wet and slimy, are heavily trafficked by traversing hand trolleys. Shouting vendors call for customer’s attention. Product arrangement and presentation is not their top priority. And there you know you’re at the heart of a real Thai fresh market – as authentic as it can get. Klong Toey Market is where chef of every level from street food vendors to five-star restaurants daily seek for their freshest ingredients. Curry pastes, herbs and spices that go into your Thai meals are also picked up from here. The market operates 24/7 but is the most lively in wee hours (2am – 6am) when fresh products arrive and more trades happen. If you’re hungry, a few food stalls serve Thai curries and other cooked local dishes. HOW TO VISIT THIS BANGKOK FRESH MARKET 300 meters from Queen Sirikit National Convention Center MRT Station, Exit 1. From the exit, walk south along the Rama 3 Road until a large intersection. Cross the intersection and the market is on your left-hand side 3. Talad Phlu Market, Nang Leong Market, & Ratchawat Market You probably haven’t done Bangkok right if you haven’t tried street food and restaurants in a fresh market in Bangkok. While the majority of travelers head to Chinatown to guarantee their best street food experience, few know that Bangkokians’ favorite eateries are located in Talad Phlu, Nang Loeng, Ratchawat markets. These are only 3 out of the long Bangkok food market list. Titled Chinatown of Thonburi, a Bangkok’s district on the west side of Chao Phraya river, Talad Phlu is a community with a long history of good eating. Sprawling around the fresh market are street vendors selling Thonburi’s best specialties. The must-try are Sunee Khao Moo Daeng’s BBQ pork with rice, Kanom Buerng Sarinthip‘s Thai crepe topped with cream and egg yolk threads or shrimp paste, Gao Lao Nuea Peui Talad Phlu’s braise beef soup, and Krob Krua Tua Glom or Jae Bum’s chive dumplings. Nang Loeng Market is right in the heart of Bangkok. It’s famous for Thai sweets whose recipes have been passed down for generations. At the center of the market, there is a food court. Several vendors serve Khao Gaeng, steamed rice with your choice of accompaniments. The most famous Khao Gaeng vendor is here Khao Gaeng Rattana.  Ratchawat is another really old fresh market in Bangkok with numerous street food to try. Go for wide rice noodles with pork in gravy soup at Ma Radna Yodpak, One Star Bet Yang Ratchawat’s roasted duck, and end your food adventure with coconut puddings at Kanom Krok Kao Wang. HOW TO VISIT THESE BANGKOK FRESH MARKETS Talad Phlu Market Talad Phlu BTS Station. Get off at Exit 3, turn left on Ratchadapisek Rd., and walk 10 minutes. Once you cross the train track, the market is on the right….

  • 4 Awesome Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Bangkok

  • 4 Awesome Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Bangkok   Bangkok turns pink and red on February 14th. Valentine’s day in Bangkok is as festive as any other celebrations – so much that you can’t help but feeling aligned with the groove. Couples walk around holding a rose bouquet, whispering sweet words into each other’s ears. Pink ribbons and rose decorations are hung at boutiques and stores. Are you looking for ideas to please your date, to reminisce about years gone by, or to celebrate your singleness (with a chance to meet someone)? If you do, look no further…   Idea No.1  for Valentine’s Day in Bangkok Dining in a Small Intimate Restaurant The Red Rose, an intimate and romantic restaurant in Shanghai Mansion Bangkok Hotel and top stand-alone restaurants in Bangkok usually offer dining promotions and themed events to mark the day. And this is how it typically goes. You‘re overwhelmed by plenty of choices on Google’s search results of ‘ restaurants bangkok for valentine,’ still you pick one. Then, you find yourself and your date at a romantic but busy restaurant, sharing the space with other hundred couples. The bill finally comes out about 20,000 THB. And all you can do is to shrug and say, well, today’s a special day.     The romantic and beautiful dining area of Issaya Siamese Club Delicious dishes at Issaya Siamese Club So, why can’t your Valentine’s Day be as simple as a fine dining in small but intimate restaurant? Small is cozy – a good point to start with. Then you only have to have good conversations and let the tasty food does its job. Our long-time favorite is La Table de Tee (20 pax) where the Thai chef owner creates progressive and innovative Franco-Thai dishes. The Red Rose at Shanghai Mansion serves Chinese cuisine paired with Chinese whiskeys and crisp plum wine. Issaya Siamese Club serving traditional Thai cuisine, is a hidden gem set in a hundred-year-old house in a luscious green garden.   sala rattanakosin Bangkok Restaurant at sunset Or if you care for a river and illuminated Wat Arun view, head to the stylish Sala Rattanakosin Restaurant catering Thai and international dishes. The nearby Sala Arun’s Bitter Deck serves delicious charcoal grilled meat, veg, and seafood. Both have rooftop bars overlooking the same view if you’re up for drinks after the romantic meal.   Pin this poster to share this blog with your followers! Idea No.2  for Valentine’s Day in Bangkok Dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River Apsara Dinner Cruise, operated by Banyan Tree Hotel Like romantic restaurants, there’re a zillion choices of dinner cruises on the Chao Phraya river. Keep in mind that big cruisers equipped with blazing neon lights and disco music (which usually host over 100 people) are for party-goers and may not be your good choice for celebrating valentine’s day in Bangkok. Our preference is to go on a boutique small cruise. They’re more quiet, private, and intimate.   Supanniga Cruise The cruises usually serve delicious Thai cuisine with choices for vegetarians, accompanied by first-class hospitality. They last about 2 hours. Most of the time, they travel on the same route, pasting Bangkok Old City’s iconic attractions along Chao Phraya river like Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, all the way up to Rama VIII Bridge before heading back to the starting point. Several feature traditional Thai dance shows onboard.   Upper deck of Supanniga Cruise For your special Valentine’s evening, There’re a few luxury rice barge cruisers that top our favorites’ list. Apsara Dinner Cruise operated by the famous Banyan Tree Hotel Loy Nava Supanniga   Idea No.3  for Valentine’s Day in Bangkok A Romantic Night City Tour by Tuk Tuk A happy couple on Smiling Tuk Tuk’s The Romantic tour Bangkok Old City is the most romantic neighborhood in Bangkok with its charming traditional and colonial-era architecture. Beautiful during days, these sites are prettier at night when they’re all lit-up. Taking Smiling Tuk Tuk‘s tour ‘The Romantic‘ is one way to behold this beauty. As its name suggests, the tour is crafted for couples to celebrate their love and to cherish special occasions like their anniversaries and Valentine’s day.   Beautiful Chao Phraya river view which can be seen on the tour The tour takes you and your lover on a fun and safe Tuk Tuk ride around Bangkok’s Old City at night. Following your tour guide, you’ll be introduced to activities available for lovers to do in the area and learn about local culture in the same time. Roughly, you’ll visit the most romantic temple in Bangkok, eat traditional Thai sweets prepared for weddings in a wet market, dine and drink at a romantic restaurant with a river view. Along the way, you’ll stop at beautiful sites for cute photo shots and listen to Thai love tales. We’d say this tour is the most romantic thing you can do on Valentine’s day in Bangkok that gives you local travel experience in the same time.   Idea No.4  for Valentine’s Day in Bangkok Black Valentine’s for Singletons Are you a singleton? Being single on Valentine’s day isn’t necessary a sad thing when you’re in Bangkok. First, there’re tons of people like you. Second, they’re all ready to party and perhaps actively looking for a potential lover! Look no further than Black Valentine’s events and parties in Bangkok. Big hotel bars and clubs hurl in international DJs and provide generous promotions on drinks. Local bars gather famous Thai singers to caress your ears with sad and heart-broken songs. All you need is an awesome or sexy black clothes for the event.   But…if you decide to avoid Valentine’s crowd and stay in, you can pick up a movie from The Reading Room Art Library to watch at home. From early February to the 15th, The Reading Room offers ‘Blind Date with a Film Week’. They give you a wrapped DVD movie so you don’t know what movie is handed to you, like…

  • What Travelers Need to Know about Makha Bucha Day in Thailand

  • What Travellers Need to Know about Makha Bucha Day in Thailand Makha Bucha is one of the 4 most important Theravada Buddhist holidays in Thailand. It takes place on the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month, which coincides with either February or March. It falls on Feb 11, Mar 1, and Feb 19 in 2017, 2018, and 2019 respectively. It is a national holiday, allowing a full day for Buddhist devotees to attend religious ceremonies at temples. A lot of Thais observe the 5 and 8 moral precepts on the day. If you visit Thailand during Makha Bucha, keep in mind there are do’s and don’ts. Read on to understand what Makha Bucha is, what it means for Buddhist Thais, and how you can participate as a traveler.   What is Makha Bucha? Makha Bucha ceremony in Chiang Mai Traditional Thai calendar is a lunar one and takes after the lunisolar Buddhist calendar. Makha is the 3rd lunar month and Bucha means to honor. Makha Bucha commemorates the full moon day of the 3rd lunar month when Buddha delivered his core teachings. The teachings were called Ovada Patimokkha, summarized as ‘to cease from all evil; to do good deeds; and to cleanse one’s mind.’ To be more exact, that day took place 45 years before Buddhist era and exactly 9 months after Buddha achieved Enlightenment. History also says that 4 special things happened on the day.     1) It was a full moon day. 2) 1,250 Sangha (monk) spontaneously gathered at the Veluvana Temple to see Buddha. 3) All of them were ordained by Buddha himself 4) All of them were Arahant (enlightened)     Makha Bucha day wasn’t observed in Thailand until the second half of the 19th century when King Mongkut started a Makha Bucha ceremony in his royal court. The religious ceremony had remained a royal affair for a while before temples nationwide organized ceremonies which commoners could attend.   Pin this poster to share this blog with your followers! How is Makha Bucha Observed in Thailand? A young girl meditating in a temple Apart from giving food to monks in alm bowls which people do every day, Buddhist Thais go make merit at temples. Some people observe the 5 precepts which include no alcohol consumption. Several temples organize meditations where attendees wear white robes, sleep there, and observe the 8 precepts. In the evening, there are candle light processions. People walk around the Ubosot (Ordination Hall) clockwise three times, praying and holding flowers, incenses, and a candle. In 2006, the government titled Makha Bucha the ‘Day of Pure Love and Gratitude.’ It was the government’s cultural campaign to reduce the rate of teenage virginity loss on Valentine’s day, which falls on the same month as Makha Bucha.   Where to Experience Makha Bucha Celebrations? Buddhist devotees praying at Phutthamonthon Buddhist Park Buddhist ceremonies and rituals take place at temples and meditation centers all around the country from dawn to dusk. Meditation and praying at some sites begins before midnight and goes on until early morning. While some merit making activities including meditation only allow participants, you may observe a candle procession at a temple, unless you’re a Buddhist and want to join a procession. In Bangkok, the Golden Mountain and Wat Benjamabopit (the Marble Temple) are great sites to observe a procession. At the Golden Mountain, monks lead a procession up the hilltop pagoda.  The local government of Prachin Buri, a province located 3 hours northeast of Bangkok, annually organizes the Makha Bucha fair where religious activities take place along with a lantern release into the night sky, exhibitions about Buddhism, markets, and a cultural procession. The event’s location itself is an important archeological site related to the early period of Buddhism in Thailand.     The traditional Garland Procession in Yasothon Province At Ban Fa Yat village of Yasothon in Northeastern Thailand, Makha Bucha gets more festive with the traditional Garland Procession and dances. Popped rice and flowers, used as offerings to Buddha, are stringed into beautiful garlands and paraded across the village. The procession takes place one day prior to the actual Makha Bucha day.   Beautiful popped rice garland Do’s and Don’ts on Makha Bucha Day Although Makha Bucha is a national holiday, banks and commercial centers are open. No alcohol for sale, from midnight to midnight of the holy day, meaning you cannot buy alcohol from convenient stores and bars. Pubs and bars are closed. However, if you really want to go out, hotel bars serve alcohol. When you visit a temple to observe religious ceremonies, keep your voice down. Code of behaviors for temple visits applies.  …